Claiming to be Gerald Genta as a designer is obviously a strong selling point for any watch. And indeed, the King Midas is often cited among the creations of the brilliant Swiss designer. But what is the truth? What we know for sure is that in the 1960s, Genta participated in the creation of part of the Cellini collection. And even if it is likely that one of his pencil strokes largely inspired the King Midas, there is no formal proof of this. Moreover, the information will never be confirmed by Fake Rolex. The fact remains that the King Midas has several key elements of the “Genta” design, such as an unusual case with marked geometric shapes, strong angular lines, and of course an integrated bracelet.
Mythological origins
The Rolex King Midas ref. 9630 was launched in 1962. The model takes its name from the legendary King of Phrygia, Midas, known in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touches into gold. True to this legend, the King Midas is logically made of solid 18-carat gold, making it one of the most luxurious watches of its time, but also one of the heaviest, at 185g on the scale! The King Midas ref. 9630 was produced between 1962 and 1972, in a limited edition of only 1000 pieces, most in yellow gold, all numbered. A very rare fact in the history of Rolex, another being the famous ref. 5100 BETA 21 from 1970.
The unique and daring design of the first King Midas, ref. 9630
From the moment it was released, the King Midas ref. 9630 stood out for its avant-garde design. It is nothing less than one of the most distinctive designs ever created by Rolex. Indeed, this watch is one of the few Rolexes not to have a round or oval shape, adopting instead a sleek, angular silhouette. The inspiration comes from ancient Greek architecture: when placed on its edge, the asymmetrical case evokes the Parthenon temple in Athens, topped by the sun-shaped crown, while the bracelet represents the temple’s columns.
The glass is also exceptional: it is a sapphire crystal, a real feat for the time. Thus, the King Midas is one of the very first Rolexes to be equipped with a sapphire crystal. Finally, for once at Rolex, the watch case is simply incredible. It is a box in the shape of a Greek amphora, in black grained leather, decorated with red designs evoking a scene from Greek mythology with King Midas and the satyr Silenus. And in its center, we find the words “ΜΙΔΑΣ by Rolex of Geneva”. We are a long way from the now traditional green box!
The caliber 650
The King Midas ref. 9630, known as the 1st generation, is powered by the famous caliber 650. This is an ultra-thin, hand-wound movement known for its precision and reliability. But the caliber 650 is above all one of the most important manual calibers of all time. Developed by Piaget, it is also used, under other references, by Patek Philippe, Blancpain, IWC, Cartier, Omega, Zenith and many others. From a technical point of view, it is built around 17 jewels, delivers a power reserve of approximately 46 hours, and oscillates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz).
The rest: asymmetrical, symmetrical models and leather straps
Strictly speaking, the career of the King Midas ended in the mid-70s, when the King Midas name disappeared from the dials, replaced by “Cellini”. But the story does not end there. In the mid-70s, Rolex unveiled new models largely inspired by the 9630, but with a symmetrical rectangular case. Most of them would bear the name Cellini, but some would still receive the ΜΙΔΑΣ name at 6 o’clock. Then came models mounted on a leather strap, with the asymmetrical case of the 9630, but this time with the Cellini name systematically. Finally, this entire collection was discontinued in the early 90s.